As soon as our patients walk into our office, they are greeted with lovely plant decor located on the top right of the front desk. Dr. Estrella has a hobby of adding these decorative plants periodically, giving the office a more feel home touch.

We understand some people may be nervous about coming to the dental office. We started out as patients, too! What we can tell you is we will take care of you. We will be as gentle as we can and make you as comfortable as you can be on the chair. Sometimes patients may even fall asleep on us due to our calm environment.

We always encourage you to let us know if there is too much water during any procedure or if you just need to take a break or rinse out. We understand that you cannot really talk while we are working on your mouth, but you can always raise your hand and just let us know. We really don't mind. We just want you to feel comfortable.

Concerned about your sensitive teeth before a cleaning?

If you are a patient with sensitive teeth, we understand that, too. Depending on what is causing your sensitivity, sometimes a nice trick is just some numbing gel. No anesthesia involved. Of course, this may not be the case for everyone.

For patients who have heavy plaque and tartar, or present with early to aggressive signs of gum disease, a more comprehensive treatment may be necessary.

Has it been a while since your last dental cleaning and check-up?

If you are a patient who requires gum maintenance of 3 to 4 months, then "a while" to you may mean you have not shown up in 6 months. Coming regularly allows us to monitor and maintain your gum health, as well as the rest of your mouth.

If you are a patient prone to cavities and you have not visited in a year that may also be too long of a wait.

If you have not had a dental cleaning in 2 to 20+ years, it’s time. Many events may have evolved since then, possibly with your gums or untreated cavities, and we want to help you address
them before the conditions progress.

No insurance?

We understand some people may have lost or do not currently have insurance, however, please review our service fees with us and consider what you can afford (or what part of your oral health you are not willing to compromise).

Treatment payment plans are available and we will work with you on that so that our services can still be accessible for you.

Too busy with work? School? Just had a baby? Change in daily routine?

We know. Still we would like to see you as best as you possibly can. Often times you may have dental needs that should to be addressed that you are not aware of.

Avoiding us unless you have pain?

If you are experiencing any severe pain, sensitivity, or discomfort please contact us, or our emergency number immediately. We are here to help and relieve you so that you can go on with your daily routine.

Avoiding the dentist is a common trend for some people, possibly due to lack of insurance or busy schedules. We encourage you to come for your regular check-ups. Practicing irregular visits
can be less beneficial to you in the long run. Patients may complain of pain due to tooth abscess or a cavity that could possibly turn into a root canal, to name a few. Coming regularly could
avoid these situations, and prevent bigger, invasive, and more costly procedures in the future.

We believe in prevention and strong dental care. Taking care of your mouth is just as important as taking care of your body. That is why each patient receives a tooth kit to take home with them after every cleaning. Proper daily Brushing and Flossing is a great start to a healthy mouth.

What's the correct way to Brush? Don't worry. Most people ask this same question. We will educate you on what to do and other techniques that are more fit for your own personal dental routine. For now, if interested, here are a few general guidelines:

Don't forget the tongue! 50% of bacteria in our mouth may lie on our tongue!

It's a good idea to brush after eating or drinking from lots of sweets.

Replace toothbrush once it starts fanning out.

Children:

Brush in circles.

Yes children can floss. This helps them get into the habit of flossing as they grow up.

It's best to monitor your child's brushing and flossing with them until they can truly brush and remove as much plaque effectively on their own. Perhaps allow them to brush in the morning, while you brush with them and check at night.

Did you know that flossing may increase your life span? Flossing plays an important role in our dental home-care. Brushing alone is not enough. It is recommended to floss regularly, at least once a day. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes of your day, but the benefits can last a lifeftime!

Slide floss gently side to side all the way up to the gum line.

Wrap floss around tooth in the shape of a letter “C”.

Remove food or plaque in an up and down direction.

For cleaning underneath bridges, a flossthreader is helpful.

Benefits

Flossing prevents cavities from forming between teeth.

Flossing prevents progression of GUM and BONE disease.

Flossing prevents bad breath.

And flossing helps prevent other chronic diseases!

If you don't like flossing, try Water-Pik. Its a great alternative for some people. Ask us more, in interested!

Choosing the right toothbrush is different for everyone. If you find you are not cleaning well with a manual toothbrush, try an electric toothbrush. It might work better for you. Sometimes the manualbrushingtechnique may just need to be modified and not necessarily a brush replacement. Please ask us how to brush for more details or refer to the "How Should I Brush?" article back at the Home page.

Toothbrushes are offered in varying textures of bristles, and come in different shapes and sizes. The standard recommendation is a "SOFT" bristle toothbrush becase of less damage to the teeth and gums.

All we care about is what toothbrush works BEST for YOU, and one that you will USE and you feel most COMFORTABLE with.

Dr. Estrella will occasionally remind us how "Dentistry is like an Art." You need to be meticulous and methodical with your hands in either profession. There is a lot of carefulness that comes with carving a silver filling, shaping a white filling or temporary crown, and even picking the right color shade for your next denture, crown, bridge, veneer, etc.

The cardinal bird is famouslyrecognized in our office restroom by our patients. It is surrounded by a cheerfully decorated wall, hand painted by Dr. Estrella herself.

[...]

Like us on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/EstrellaDentalSmile

Patient referrals are appreciated.

As our way of saying Thank You, refer TWO friends of separate families and receive a complementary custom whitening tray, if interested in brightening your smile.

Yes! We see kids.

We treat infants and small children, as well as adults up to geriatrics. This is a General Family Practice and people of all ages are invited.